Quietening the mind or having a thoughtless state seems impossible and frustrating goal to many meditators. So many times I had felt that instead of relieving the stress, this process caused me more stress! Doing a few yoga and meditation programs guided by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar proved to be a turning point in my practice. I take this opportunity to share some wisdom which made my meditation practice so easy and fun.
1. We are all born Yogis!
Have you observed small children? They are super flexible and do all the yoga postures easily. They are always smiling, bubbling with enthusiasm, joy and happiness. They are always in the present moment; before their tears dry, they start laughing! Their mind is non-cluttered and they live every moment 100%! This is how you and I were when we were a child. We all are borne with yogi’s body, mind and spirit! In the process of growing up, as stresses start affecting us, our true nature gets covered. Purpose of our practice is to go back to our natural disposition.
2. Shifting gears from ‘I want’ to ‘I have’!
We meditate because we want peace of mind. But what if we already have it? Just as our body is made up of different bones, muscles, organs, blood vessels, nerves, etc. our spirit is made up of love, joy, peace, bliss, happiness. Satchidananda – Sat (true), Chit (consciousness), Ananda (pure bliss) meaning bliss is the true nature of our consciousness. When we meditate, it is not that from somewhere outside we are going to bring peace and bliss and put them inside us. When we realize that we are that, we already have them inside us, we stop seeking it, wanting it, searching it. The starting point of our practice changes from wanting to already have or being. Seeking stops and experiencing begins.
3. It is very easy and natural to meditate!
Many think meditation is very difficult and challenging! In fact, it is very easy and natural for us to meditate. Just as our fingers fold and unfold easily and naturally, that easy mind meditates. Simply sitting with eyes closed and taking our attention inward for a few minutes will lead us back to our nature. For a novice, meditation is some sort of practice or routine that has scientifically proven so many benefits. Over a period of time, as we go deeper into its understanding, meditation becomes something we live, we realize that meditation is our true nature and not just something we “practice”.
4. Our Mind is like sky and thoughts are like clouds; they keep moving!
We have so many thoughts in a day, but how many of them we really remember? In most cases, we don’t even remember what we were thinking 5-10 minutes ago! Thoughts are transient in nature, temporary, like clouds in the sky they just keep moving. Let them. Meditation is not about controlling the mind, focusing or concentrating on something, or resisting our thoughts or emotions or sensations. It is the opposite – de-focusing or de-concentrating, accepting the present moment as it is and relaxing into our being! Beyond the active and chattering mind, we can find the peace which is intact and unbroken.
5. You don’t have to do meditation, meditation happens!
Meditation is the delicate art of doing nothing. When I sit to meditate, I sit with this background in my mind – I am nothing! I do nothing! I want nothing! For the time being, I just sit with my eyes closed dropping all my limited identities and roles that I play, become nothing. I stop all my deliberate physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual activities and do nothing and just relax into my being wanting or expecting nothing, not even peace of mind!!! Letting go of the desire to resist or control anything with openness to any kind of experience and the faith that whatever experience is being offered is right for me at that moment. When we get into this mode of nothingness and openness, meditation starts happening.
6. Breath is our best friend in good as well as bad times.
Our breath has important lessons for us. For every emotion in the mind, there is the corresponding rhythm in the breath and vice versa, the way we breathe can change or influence how we feel. It is so difficult to handle our mind directly, but with breath we can handle it easily. Many times we must have told our angry, nervous or agitated friend to take a couple of deep breaths to relax and calm down. Taking a few slow gentle breaths, or Alternate Nostril Breathing helps calm the mind. The rhythm in the breath helps get in touch with the depth of our self, our soul, and our consciousness.
7. Brushing the teeth is dental hygiene, meditation is mental hygiene!
Brushing the teeth every morning though mundane, is an important activity. We don’t even like skipping it for a single day. Similarly meditation clears all the dirt – all impressions from the mind and maintains mental hygiene. Just the way we don’t analyze the dirt that comes out after brushing, we don’t analyze any experience of meditation. The release of dirt-impressions can happen in so many ways, it is better to leave it unstirred by logic.
8. Connect your practice to a higher purpose.
When we meditate, people around us also benefit. You send positive and peaceful vibes to your environment. By being peaceful, you make the world more peaceful. Inner peace and outer peace are strongly connected. I regularly meditate in larger groups. Practicing in big groups with common intent, you help to manifest that intent! About 3.5 million people from 155 countries are going to meditate during the World Cultural Festival, 11-13 March in New Delhi-India for World Peace. I highly recommend you to join this either in person or online to get the first-hand experience.
Understanding meditation
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Meditation originally was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. These days, meditation is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction.
Meditation is considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine. Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind.
During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process may result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being.
Benefits of meditation
Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit both your emotional well-being and your overall health.
And these benefits don’t end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and may help you manage symptoms of certain medical conditions.
Meditation and emotional well-being
When you meditate, you may clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.
The emotional benefits of meditation can include:
- Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
- Building skills to manage your stress
- Increasing self-awareness
- Focusing on the present
- Reducing negative emotions
- Increasing imagination and creativity
- Increasing patience and tolerance
Meditation and illness
Meditation might also be useful if you have a medical condition, especially one that may be worsened by stress.
While a growing body of scientific research supports the health benefits of meditation, some researchers believe it’s not yet possible to draw conclusions about the possible benefits of meditation.
With that in mind, some research suggests that meditation may help people manage symptoms of conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Sleep problems
- Tension headaches
Be sure to talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of using meditation if you have any of these conditions or other health problems. In some cases, meditation can worsen symptoms associated with certain mental and physical health conditions.
Meditation isn’t a replacement for traditional medical treatment. But it may be a useful addition to your other treatment.